Fluid operated pressure intensifier



1950 E. A. ROCKWELL 2,520,374

FLUID OPERATED PRESSURE INTENSIFIER Original Filed June 9, 1944 Q 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Edward .4. Rockwell ATTORNEY Aug. 29, 1950 ROCKWELL 2,520,374

FLUID OPERATED PRESSURE INTENSIFIER Original Filed June 9, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Edward H. Rockwell A TTORNEY Patented Aug. 29, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFF] CE FLUID OPERATED PRESSURE IN TENSIFIEE Edward A. Rockwell, Shaker Heights, Ohio Original application June 9, 1944;, Serial No. 539,584. Divided and this application November28, 1945, Serial No. 631,254

(01. titl -54.6)

18- Claims.

My invention relates particularly to power units in compact form, that may be used to perform work, as for example in the operation of parts of automotive vehicles, such as brakes, etc.

This is adivisiona-l application of my co-pendi-ng application Ser. No. 539,584 upon Self-Contained Power Unit, filed June 9; 1944-.

The object Of my invention is to provide a power unit which is capable of being used advantageou'sly' for the operation of any desired part to be" moved and which is especially applicable to the operation of brakes in automotive vehicles, such for instance as automobiles, airplanes, etc. The object of my invention is also to provide a power unit in compact form for the operation of any desired part to be moved, as for example on automotive vehicles. Another object is toprovide a unit Of this character in such a manner as to obtain an eifective' ratio of input force to output force; A further object is to provide an effective means for obtaining liquid compensation in the parts which operate the power valves. Still a further object is to locate all of the controlling connections forthe powerunit at one end thereof. A further object is to locate all of the valves of the unit at the same end thereof. Again, a further object is to avoid the location of any valves in the power plunger; Still another object is to locate the valves in such a way as to provide no reaction or to' obtain a reaction from the delivered high pressure only. Further objects of my invention will appear from the detailed description of the same hereinafter.

In carrying out my invention I preferably provide a movable differential pressure controlled by opposed oppositely seating inlet and outlet valves mounted on' said wall and having a valve operating sleeve for" said valves; a liquid compensation valve being provided, seating either on said sleeve or not according to whether a reaction is desired from the pressures delivered for work-performance.

While-my invention is capable ofbeing carried out in many different ways]? have-shown only certain forms of my invention in the accompanying drawings in which; diagrammatically shown,

Fig. l is a longitudinal sectionof a power unit deriving its reaction only from the delivered hydraulic liquid; and

Fig. 2' is a similar view of a power unit which isnon-reactive;

In the drawings; referring first particularly to Fig. 1, I have shown an automotive vehicle having front wheel brake cylinders I and 2 and rear wheel brake" cylinders 3 and" 4' provided" with hydraulic branch pipes 5- which are connected together by a hydraulic pipe system ii having a pipe 1 to receive the hydraulic fluid of any desired character for operating the brake cylinders. On the automobile, thereis the usual pedal 8 located on apedal lever 9' carried by a pivot Hi on the automobile chassis, the same being provided with a retracting spring II of the usual kind (not shown)- connected to the chassis; Instead there can be used, if desired, a hand lever 8a (see Fig. 2): Below the pivot It there is a pivotal connection i2" carrying a link 13 which is pivotally connected tothe usual master cylinder piston rod I4 passing into a master cylinder 55 having at the upper portion thereof a vented filling cap it leadingto areservoir I l forming a part of the master cylinder i5. Saidmaster cylinder has the usual boot waroundthepiston rod I l, carrying a piston H3 in a cylinder 29" for delivering the hydraulic liquid from thema'ster cylinder by a pipe 2i to an inlet opening 22' in a screw fitting 23", in the power unit. The vacuum is supplied toa passageway 24 in the power unit from" a screw fitting 25 which communicates by a pipe 25 with a manifold 21' on the engine of the automobile (see Fig. 2).

In the form of my invention in Fig. l, I have shown a piston 23 fitting within a cylinder 29. In thisinstance; I have provided on the cylinder 29 a smaller cylinder 29a having a plunger 36' within the same, which is provided with a cylindrical' aperture 3"], in an internal flange 32, through which there extends a valve operating rod 33 with intermediate liquid transmitting passages 54. The rod 33" is carried by a valve 35 which is pressed against a valve seat 36 on the interior of the sle'eve 3!! by meanso'f a spring 3? seated at its forward end against a plunger 38, having a longitudinal passageway 39. v The plunger 33 slides within the sleeve 38 and is arranged to rest against the rear end of a valve op'eratingflever ithaving'a' central aperture 4| to permit the plunger 3t'to pass through the same. The upper end of the valve operating'l'ever iii-has a pivot 42 connecting it to a valve operating rod 43 on a valve 4a which seats against a valve seat 45 within the piston" 28 which is connected by a" passageway E6 to the chamber within the cylinder 29' atth'e' left of thepiston 28'. A spring 61, supported on" aseat 48'; normally pressesthe valve 41 to the right so as to open port 49 leading from the valve seat 45 t'othe right face of the piston operating rod 5! on an air inlet valve 52 which is normally pressed against a valve seat 53 by a spring as carried by a recess 55 in a chamber 55 in the piston 28. The said chamber 56 has a port 5'! connecting it to the right face or" the piston 28 and has a passage 3 leading to a nipple 59 connected by a rubber tube 68 to a vent. This form of my invention shown in Fig. 1, thus, receives on the manua1 means the hydraulic reaction from the hydraulic liquid applied by the power unit to the wheel cylinders, but on account of the manner in which the valves are operated the manual means does not receive any substantial reaction from the modulating valve operating mechanism.

In the form of my invention shown in Fig. 2, I have provided a construction similar to that shown in Fig. 1. In this instance I have utilized a piston GI and I have arranged the operation of the modulating valves diiferently, a liquid compensation and cut-off valve 52 being provided which is moved differently to eliminate reaction. In this instance, in Fig. 2, there is shown an emergency brake operating lever so instead of the pedal 3 of Fig. 1. Also, in this instance, embodying the modulating valve construction shown in Fig. '1, I have shown a vacuum admission valve 63 and a valve seat 65 therefor, which are the same as the vacuum admission valve 24, 45 of Fig. 1, and an air inlet valve 65 with a cooperating valve seat 38, which are the same as the valve 52, 53 of Fig. 1. Also, in this instance, I have provided a modulating valve operating lever 67 which is the same as the valve operating lever construction 40 in Fig. 1. In this form of my invention, owing to the mounting of the cutof. valve 62 on the piston 6i and the manner of operating and seating the valves 63, 64 and E55, 56 on the piston Si, no reaction is received on the manual means from the hydraulic liquid applied to the wheel cylinders nor from the valve mechanism controlling the inlet and outlet of the vacuum for applying the pressure to the liquid delivered to the wheel cylinders. Therefore, in this construction the apparatus is substantially a non-reactive travel control mechanism for applying hydraulic pressures from a power unit in the operation of the brakes or other parts to be moved thereby.

In the operation of the form of my invention shown in Fig. 1, it will be noted that the liquid compensation and cut-01f valve 35, is mounted on the valve operating sleeve 3% and that the sleeve 39 operates a simple type of non-reactive modulating valve mounting which does not rereive a reaction from the air pressures admitted to the right or" the piston 28, to any substantial extent, and the reaction of the manual means in this instance is the reaction from the hydraulic pressure liquid applied by the power from the power unit on the brake cylinders, acting on the sleeve 39 from the pressure liquid delivered by the pipe I, and thence onto the pedal 8.

In the modification of my invention shown in Fig. 2, the operation is somewhat similar to the operation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 inasmuch as in this instance reactive modulating valves are not present but, the liquid compensation and cut-ofi valve 62 being mounted on the piston 6 I, there is substantially no reaction either from the valves or from the power hydraulic pressure liquid applied to the wheel cylinders, as the reaction is sustained by the power piston 6i and the power plunger mounted on the latter cutting off the pressure of the liquid from the for controlling the movement of the wall and,

manual lever 8a by means of the cut-01f valve 62 which is carried by said power plunger so that, as a consequence, travel control without a reaction is attained in applying the power from the manual controlling means 8a by means of the power piston 6| to the wheel brake cylinders.

It will be notedthat in both Figs. '1 and 2 the valve mounting exerts no substantial reaction on the manual means owing to the fact that the inlet valves 52, 53 and 65, 66, as well as the outlet valves 44, 45 and 63, 64, are mounted on the pistons 28 and SI respectively, and thus move away from the manual means in the application of power in the power piston.

While I have described my invention above in detail, I wish it to be understood that many changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the same.

I claim:

1. A power unit comprising a movable wall, a chamber for said wall, a connection on the unit adapted to be connected to a source of pressure differing from the atmosphere, a venting connection, a valve means for controlling the application of the pressures from said source and from the venting connection to the movable wall, a plunger and a cylinder therefor located at one side of the movable wall, a hydraulic outlet for pressure liquid hydraulically connected to said cylinder, a hydraulic inlet for pressure liquid on the other side of the movable wall, a second plunger and a cylinder therefor hydraulically connected to said hydraulic inlet, having an annular portion subject to pressures from said inlet and outlet, located wholly on said other side of the movable wall, and a liquid compensating valve located in a passageway connecting the hydraulic inlet to the hydraulic outlet, and having a valve seat associated with the second-mentioned plunger.

2. A power unit comprising a movable wall, a chamber for said wall, a connection on the unit adapted to be connected to a source of pressure diiiering from the atmosphere, a venting connection, a valve means for controlling the application of the pressures from said source and from the venting connection to the movable wall, a plunger and a cylinder therefor located at one side of the movable wall, a hydraulic outlet for pressure liquid hydraulically connected to said cylinder, a hydraulic inlet for pressure liquid on the other side of the movable wall, a second plunger and a cylinder therefor hydraulically connected to said hydraulic inlet, having an annular portion subject to pressures from said inlet and outlet, located wholly on said other side or" the movable Wall, and a liquid compensating valve located in a passageway connecting the hydraulic inlet to the hydraulic outlet and having a valve seat associated with the first-mentioned plunger.

3. A power unit having an inlet for a hydraulic liquid under a controllable pressure, an outlet for hydraulic fluid leading to a work-performing device, a connection on the unit adapted to be connected to a source of fluid under a, pressure different from the atmospheric pressure, a vent, a movable wall connected to said source and having a pressure increasing plunger, provided With an extension containing a passage therethrough leading tosaid inlet, connected to said wall, a

cylinder for said plunger, said wall having a chamber in which it moves, and a valve device arranged to be substantially free from reaction from said work-performing device, said valve device having a connection to. said inlet for con.- trolling the movement. of the wall, said valve device. connection comprising a valve-operating. sleeve and cylinder around said extension.

i. A power unit having an. inlet for a hydraulic liquid under a. controllable pressure, an outlet tor-hydraulic fluid leading to a work-performing: device, a connection on the unit adapted to be connected to a source of fluid under a pressure different from. the atmospheric; pressure, a, vent, a. movable wall connected to. said source and having a pressure increasing plunger, provided with an. extension. containing a passage therethrough leading to said inlet, connected to. said wall, a cylinder: for said. plunger, said wall having a chamber in which it moves, and a valve device iorcontrolling the movement of the wall and arranged to. be substantially free. from reaction from. said worlreperiorming device, saidvalve device. having a. connection. to said inlet for controlling; the movement of the wall, said valve. device comprising an inlet valve leading to one side of the. movable wall and having a flexible connection to the vent through saidchamber and an outlet valve connected to said source and to, the

other side of the movable wall, said valve device connection comprising; a valve-operating sleeve and, cylinder around said extension.

5 A power unit having an inlet. for a hydraulic liquid under a, controllable pressure, an outlet for hydraulic fluid leading to, a work-performing device, a. connection on. the unit adapted to be connected to asource of fluid under a pressure difierent from. the atmospheric pressure, a Vent, a movable wall connected to. said: source and havinga pressure increasing plunger, provided with an. extension containing a passage therethrough leading to said inlet, connected to said. wall, a. cylinder for said. plunger, said wall having a chamber in which it moves, and a valve device for controlling the movement oithe; wall and arranged to be substantially free from reaction from said work-performing device, said valve device. having: a. connection to said. inlet for controlling the, movement. of the wall, said valve device connection comprising a valve lever and a valve-operatingi sleeve and cylinder around said extension.

6. A. power unit having an inletfor a hydraulic liquid under a. controllable pressure, an outlet for hydraulic fluid leading to a work-performing device, a. connection on the unit adapted to be connected to a source of fluid under a. pressure different from the atmospheric pressure, a vent, a. movable wall connected to. said source and having a. pressure increasing. plunger, provided. with. an extension containing a. passage therethrough leading to said inlet, connected to said wall, a cylinder for said plunger, said wall having a chamber in which itmoves, and a valve device. for controlling the movement of the wall and arranged. to be substantially free. from reaction irom said work-performing device, said valve device having a connection to said inlet for controlling the movement of the wall, said valve device. comprising" an inlet valve leading to one side. of the movable wall and" having. a flex ihle connection, to; the vent. through. said' chamher. and an outlet valve connected. to said source and. to. the other side of the movable wall, said valvedeviceconnection comprising a valve lever and a valve-operating; sleeve and cylinder. around said. extension.

7. Apower unit having an inlet for a hydrau lic liquid. under a controllable pressure, anoutlet for hydraulic fluid leading to a work-performing device, a connection on the unit adapted to be connected to a source of fluid under a. pressure different from the atmospheric pressure, a vent, a movablewailconnected to said source and having a pressure increasing plunger, provided with an extension containing a passage therethrough. leading tosaid inlet, connected to said wall, a cylinder for said plunger, said Wall having a chamber in which it moves, and a valve. device for controlling the movement of the wall and arranged to be substantially free from reaction I from said work-performing device, said valve de-* vice having a connection to said inlet for controlling the movement of the wall, said valve device. connection comprising a floating valve lever and a valve-operating sleeve. and cylinder around said, extension.

8.. A power unit having. an inlet for a hydraulic. liquid under a controllable pressure, an outlet for hydraulic fluid leading to a work-performing device, a connection on the unit adapted. to beconnected to a source of fluid under a pressure different from the atmospheric pressure, a vent, a. movablewall connected to said source and having a pressure increasing plunger, provided. with an extension containing a passage thercthrough. leading to said inlet, connected to said wall, a cylinder for said plunger, said wall having a chamber. in which it moves, and a. valve device for controlling the movement of the wall and arranged to be substantially free from reaction from said work-performing. device, said valve device having a connection to said inlet for controlling the movement of the wall, said valve device comprising an inlet valve leading to one side of the movable wall and connected. to the: vent and an outlet valve, seating in the opposite direction to the inlet valve, connected to said source and to the other side of the movable wall, said valve device connection comprisin a, floating valve lever and a valve-operating sleeve and.

cylinder around said extension.

9. A power unit having an inlet for a hydraulic liquid under a controllable pressure, an outlet. for hydraulic fluid leading to a Work-performing device, a, connection on the unit adapted to be connected to a source of fluid under a pressure different from the atmospheric pressure, a vent, a

movable wall connected to said source and havinga pressure increasing plunger, provided with an extension containing a passage therethrough leading to said inlet, connected tosaid. wall, a,

cylinder for said plunger, said wall having; a. chamber in which it moves, a valve device for. controlling the movement of the wall and arranged to: be substantially free from reaction from said work-performing device, said valve device having aconnection to said inlet for controlling the movement of the wall, said valve device connectioncomprising a valve-operating sleeve and cylinder around said extensionand a g spring-pressed. liquid. compensating cut-on. Valve controlling said passage and having a valve seat on said sleeve.

10.. A- power unit having an inlet for a Ihydraue lic liquid under a controllable pressure, an outlet for hydraulic fluid leading to. a work-performing device, a. connection on the unit adapted to be.

connected. to a source of fluid under a pressure different. from. the. atmospheric pressure, a vent, amovable wall connected to said source and having: a pressure" increasing plunger, provided. with;

7 an extension containing a passage therethrough leading to said inlet, connected to said wall, a cylinder for said plunger, said wall having a chamber in which it moves, a valve device for controlling the movement of the wall and arranged to be substantially free from reaction from said work-performing device, said valve device having a connection to said inlet for controlling the movement of the wall, said valve device comprising an inlet valve leading to one side of the movable wall and having a flexible connection to the vent through said chamber and an outlet valve connected to said source and to the other side of the movable Wall, said valve device connection comprising a valve-operating sleeve and cylinder around said extension, and a spring-pressed liquid compensating cut-off valve controlling said passage and having a valve seat on said sleeve.

11. A power unit having an inlet for a hydraulic liquid under a controllable pressure, an outlet for hydraulic fluid leading to a work-performing device, a connection on the unit adapted to be connected to a source of fluid under a pressure different from the atmospheric pressure, a vent, a movable wall connected to said source and having a pressure increasing plunger, provided with an extension containing a passage therethrough leading to said inlet, connected to said wall, a cylinder for said plunger, said wall having a chamber in which it moves, a valve device for controlling the movement of the wall and ar ranged to be substantially free from reaction from said work-performing device, said valve device having a connection to said inlet fo controlling the movement of the Wall, said valve device connection comprising a floating valve lever and a valve-operating sleeve and cylinder around said extension, and a spring-pressed liquid compensating cut-off valve controlling said passage and having a valve seat on said sleeve.

12. A power unit having an inlet for a hydraulic liquid under a controllable pressure, an outlet for hydraulic fluid leading to a work-performing device, a connection on the unit adapted to be connected to a source of fluid under a pressure different from the atmospheric pressure, a vent, a movable wall connected to said source and having a pressure increasing plunger, provided with an extension containing a passage therethrough leading to said inlet, connected to said wall, a cylinder for said plunger, said wall having a chamber in which it moves, a valve device for controlling the movement of the wall and arranged to be substantially free from reaction from said work-performing device, said valve device having a connection to said inlet for controlling the movement of the wall, said valve device comprising an inlet valve leading to one side of the movable wall and connected to the vent and an outlet valve, seating in the opposite direction to the inlet valve, connected to said source and to the other side of the movable wall, said valve device connection comprising a floating valve lever and a valve-operating sleeve and cylinder around said extension, and a springpressed liquid compensating cut-off valve controlling said passage and having a valve seat on said sleeve.

13. A power unit having an inlet for a hydraulic liquid under a controllable pressure, an outlet for hydraulic fluid leading to a work-performing device, a connection on the unit adapted to be connected to a source of fluid under a pressure different from the atmospheric pressure, a vent.

a movable wall connected to said source and hav-' ing a pressure increasing plunger, provided with an extension containing a passage therethrough leading to said inlet, connected to said wall, a cylinder for said plunger, said. wall having a chamber in which it moves, a valve device for controlling the movement of the wall and arranged to be substantially free from reaction from said work-performing device, said valve device having a connection to said inlet for controlling the movement of the wall, said valve device connection comprising a valve-operating sleeve and cylinder around said extension, and a spring-pressed liquid compensating cut-oil valve controlling said passage and having a valve seat on said extension.

14. A power unit having an inlet for a hydraulic liquid under a controllable pressure, an outlet for hydraulic fluid leading to a work-performing device, a connection on the unit adapted to be connected to a source of fluid under a pressure diflerent from the atmospheric pressure, a vent, a movable wall connected to said source and having a pressure increasing plunger, provided with an extension containing a passage therethrough leading to said inlet, connected to said wall, a cylinder for said plunger, said wall having a chamber in which it moves, a valve device for controlling the movement of the wall and arranged to be substantially free from reaction from said work-performing device, said valve device having a connection to said inlet for controlling the movement of the wall, said valve device comprising'an inlet valve leading to one side of the movable wall and having a flexible connection to the vent through said chamber and an outlet valve connected to said source and to the other side of the movable wall, said valve device connection comprising a valve-operating sleeve and cylinder around said extension, and a spring-pressed liquid compensating cut-off valve controlling said passage and having a valve seat on said extension.

15. A power unit having an inlet for a hydraulic liquid under a controllable pressure, an outlet for hydraulic fluid leading to a work-performing device, a connection on the unit adapted to be connected to a source of fluid under a pressure difierent from the atmospheric pressure, a vent, a movable wall connected to said source and having a pressure increasing plunger, provided with an extension containing a passage therethrough leading to said inlet, connected to said wall, a cylinder for said plunger, said wall having a chamber in which it moves, a valve device for controlling th movement of the wall and arranged to be substantially free from reaction from said work-performing device, said valve device having a connection to said inlet for controlling the movement of the wall, said valve device connection comprising a floating valve lever and a valve-operating sleeve and cylinder around said extension, and a spring-pressed liquid compensating cut-off valve controlling said passage and having a valve seat on said extension.

16. A power unit having an inlet for a hydraulic liquid under a controllable pressure, an outlet for hydraulic fluid leading to a work-performing device, a connection on the unit adapted to be connected to a source of fluid under a pressure different from the atmospheric pressure, a vent, a movable wall connected to said source and having a pressure increasing plunger, provided with an extension containing a passage therethrough leading to said inlet, connected to said wall, a cylinder for said plunger, said wall having a chamber in which it moves, a valve device for controlling the movement of the wall and arranged to be substantially free from reaction from said work-performing device, said valve device having a connection to said inlet for controlling the movement of the wall, said valve device comprising an inlet valve leading to one side Of the movable wall and connected to the vent and an outlet valve, seating in the opposite direction to the inlet valve, connected to said source and to the other side of the movable wall, said valve device connection comprising a floating valve lever and a valve-operating sleeve and cylinder around said extension, and a spring-pressed liquid compensating cut-oil valve controlling said passage and having a valve seat on said extension.

17. A power unit comprising a movable wall, a container for the wall, a source of fluid pressure connected thereto difiering from the atmosphere, a venting connection to said wall through the container, substantially balanced inlet and outlet valves mounted on the movable wall to control the movable wall by the diiferential application of pressures from said source and vent, a pressure-increasing plunger having a cylinder associated with said movable wall, a hydraulic outlet for delivering hydraulic liquid from said plunger for work performance, an inlet for a hydraulic liquid having a controllable pressure, a valve operating sleeve around said plunger operated by said liquid having an operative connection to said valve and a hydraulic conduit leading from said inlet to said outlet through the sleeve and pressure-increasing plunger having a cut-oil valve provided with a valve seat connection to the movable wall.

18. A power unit comprising a movable wall, a container for the wall, a source of fluid pressure connected thereto diifering from the atmosphere, a venting connection to said wall through the container, substantially balanced inlet and outlet valves mounted on the movable wall to control the movable wall by the differential application of pressures from said source and vent, a pressure-increasing plunger having a cylinder associated With said movable wall, a hydraulic outlet for delivering hydraulic liquid from said plunger for work performance, an inlet for a hydraulic liquid having a controllable pressure, a valve operating sleeve around said plunger operated by said liquid having an operative connection to said valve and a hydraulic conduit leading from said inlet to said outlet through the sleeve and pressure-increasing plunger having a cut-01f valve provided with a valve seat connection to the sleeve.

EDWARD A. ROCKWELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,374,545 Ingres Apr. 24, 1945 2,377,699 lilimkiewicz June 5, 19445 

